SpotGenie Fact: India’s NH With a River on One Side and Sea on the Other

India’s highways are usually built to connect landscapes.
But on a stunning stretch of NH 66 in Kerala, the highway does something rarer, it runs between them.

On one side lies the Arabian Sea.
On the other, rivers and backwaters linked to Kerala’s vast inland water network.

Where Is This Unique Highway Stretch?

• National Highway: NH 66 (formerly NH 17)

• State: Kerala

• Notable Sections:

  • Alappuzha coastal belt
  • Mararikulam–Cherthala region

• Water Bodies:

  • Arabian Sea on one side
  • Backwaters / river channels connected to Vembanad Lake on the other

In some sections, the road is separated from water by just a narrow embankment.

Why This Is Rare in India

• Most highways avoid water bodies due to erosion risk

• NH 66 runs through extremely low-lying coastal terrain

• The region has:

  • High water table
  • Tidal influence
  • Dense canal and river networks

This creates a visual illusion of a road floating between sea and river.

Engineering Challenges of This Stretch

• Constant threat of coastal erosion
• Saltwater damage to road surface
• Frequent monsoon flooding
• Need for reinforced embankments and drainage systems

Maintaining this highway requires continuous monitoring, especially during storms and high tides.

Why Travelers Remember This Road

• Sea breeze on one side, calm inland waters on the other
• Fishing boats, coconut groves, and beaches visible simultaneously
• Considered one of India’s most scenic NH drives

It is one of the few places where a National Highway feels like a causeway between two worlds.

Highways usually conquer geography.
NH 66 in Kerala quietly negotiates with it.

This stretch proves that sometimes, the most memorable infrastructure isn’t the biggest or fastest, but the one that coexists with nature.

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